"Actor: Arena"

• Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration | DVD | (16/10/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In 1998, a concert celebrated Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. It featured more than two hours of hits from a body of work spanning almost three decades. In this record of a memorable night, star after star steps onto a massive, Eurovision-style set to revisit golden moments in their long association with Britain's most successful composer of musicals. Elaine Paige in big frocks and even bigger voice delivers "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and "Memory" with her usual power; Michael Ball and Donny Osmond stretch the last vestiges of boyish charm to the very limits but still sound great; and Boyzone get the youth vote. Then there are Kiri te Kanawa, Bonnie Tyler, Tina Arena and of course, another encore for Julian Lloyd Webber and those Variations on the cello. But the stars are Sir Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Brightman in an outstanding selection from The Phantom of the Opera (probably his best work), Antonio Banderos who really can sing, and Glenn Close, a stupendous, moving Norma Desmond in songs from Sunset Boulevard. All in all, a deserved celebration for someone who has given so many people a great deal of pleasure, and a treat for musicals fans of all ages. --Piers Ford

• Live 8 - Paris | DVD | (07/11/2005) from £24.28   |  Saving you £-4.29 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The best artists on the planet the biggest audience ever! The Paris concert from the Live 8 simultaneous event that took place around the world on July 2nd 2005. Tracklist: 1. We Want Your Voice (intro) 2. Alpha Blondy - Sweet fanta diallo 3. Passi - Reviens 4. Faudel - Je veux vivre 5. Magic System - Bougez bougez 6. Muse - Hysteria 7. Muse - Bliss 8. Amel Bent - Ma philosophie 9. M. Pokora - Elle me controle 10. Kyo - Contact 11. Kyo - Qui je sais 12. Yannick

• Puccini: Madama Butterfly -- Verona/Arena | DVD | (11/06/2001) from £3.49   |  Saving you £15.76 (706.73%)   |  RRP £17.99

  This traditional production of Puccini's enduringly popular opera Madama Butterfly should give much pleasure. It was recorded at the open-air theatre in Verona in 1983 with the local orchestra and chorus under the aptly named Maurizio Arena. The video direction is by an expert in the field, Brian Large, who brings home all the intimate moments of Puccini's drama from an open set that ascends and sprawls across rows of seating. His camera draws the viewer into scenes that the audience cannot witness at their distance--most movingly when Sharpless, the American consul in Nagasaki, gives up his attempt to read Pinkerton's letter to Butterfly saying he has no intention of seeing her again (set to that magical melody which will recur as the humming chorus). It's of little matter that there are no operatic stars in the cast for this ensemble consists of experienced singers who fill the night air with lungs to match Puccini's heaviest demands. The audience, many of them evidently on holiday, greet the show-stopping moments with waves of applause. Their enthusiasm may drown a few bars of orchestral continuity but the orchestra itself is always at the service of the singers on a soundtrack that captures the atmosphere of an open-air performance with astonishing verisimilitude. Butterfly, sung by the statuesque Raina Kabaivanska, may not see Cio-Cio San (to give "butterfly" her real name) 16 years again and some of her arm movements are overdone but her big number "Un bel di" and its reprise when she's holding her child by Pinkerton are touchingly conveyed. Neither does she overplay the final scene where she prepares to follow her father's example using the Mikado's dagger to commit suicide--a moment that sends a shiver down the spine in its economy. Nazzareno Antinori as her Pinkerton, with his matinée idol looks and resonant voice, complements her well; their singing of Puccini's spacious love duet at the close of Act One goes down a treat with the crowd. --Adrian Edwards

• On A Vole La Joconde | DVD | (28/06/2004) from £13.13   |  Saving you £9.85 (97.14%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Michel Deville directs George Chakiris in a comic thriller about a Raffles-like gentleman thief (Romeo) who is determined to steal the Mona Lisa. His efforts are hindered by double-crossing partners inept but persistent policemen beautiful women and falling in love. Great fun comic set pieces and the beauty of the Mona Lisa French countryside and the handsome cast add to the enjoyment of a film directed with the deft touch of a master.

• Reality | DVD | (22/07/2013) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  From the award-winning director of Gomorrah comes a fascinating and disturbing tale about the lure of celebrity culture. Luciano (Aniello Arena) is a Neapolitan fishmonger who supplements his modest income by pulling off little scams together with his wife Maria (Loredana Simioli). A likeable entertaining guy Luciano never misses an opportunity to perform for his customers and countless relatives. One day his family urge him to try out for a reality TV show. As his perception of reality begins to change Luciano plunges into a self-delusional fantasy that threatens to destroy his relationship with his loved ones. Set in contemporary Naples with a beautiful score by Alexandre Desplat (The King's Speech Argo A Prophet) this modern cinematic fairytale proves yet again why Matteo Garrone is one of Italy's most exciting and versatile filmmakers.

• Arena - Smoke And Mirrors | DVD | (05/02/2007) from £10.45   |  Saving you £14.54 (58.20%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Limited Digipack edition of ""Smoke and Mirrors"" Dvd with bonus audio CD containing highlights of the show. This fantastic show was recorded in September 2005 at Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice and features a special 10th anniversary setlist including ""(Dont Forget To) Breathe"" ""The Hanging Tree"" ""Skin Game"" and the songs from their newest studio album ""Pepper's Ghost. Track Listing 1. Bedlam Fayre 2. A Crack in the Ice 3. Midlas Vision 4. Elea 5. The Hanging Tree 6. A State of Grace 7. (Don't Forget To) Breathe 8. Smoke & Mirrors 9. Purgatory Road 11. Waiting for the Floods 12. Medusa 13. The Shattered Room 14. Chosen 15. Skin Game 16. Witch Hunt 17. Enemy Without 18. Solomon 19. Friday's dream 20. Cry VII

• L'Africaine - Meyerbeer | DVD | (02/08/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Meyerbeer - L'Africaine (Arena Orch/Chorus/Ballet SFO)

• Mefistofele - Boito | DVD | (30/06/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  An exceptional performance of Arrigo Boito's 'Mefistofele' conducted by Maurizo Arena.

• Arena - Smoke and Mirrors | DVD | (05/02/2007) from £7.85   |  Saving you £9.14 (116.43%)   |  RRP £16.99

  Arena are doubtlessly one of the most significant progressive rock bands today! This fantastic show was recorded in September 2005 at Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice and features a special 10th anniversary setlist including ""(Dont Forget To) Breathe"" ""The Hanging Tree"" ""Skin Game"" and the songs from their newest studio album ""Pepper's Ghost. Track Listing 1. Bedlam Fayre 2. A Crack in the Ice 3. Midlas Vision 4. Elea 5. The Hanging Tree 6. A State of Grace 7. (Don't Forget To) Breathe 8. Smoke & Mirrors 9. Purgatory Road 11. Waiting for the Floods 12. Medusa 13. The Shattered Room 14. Chosen 15. Skin Game 16. Witch Hunt 17. Enemy Without 18. Solomon 19. Friday's dream 20. Cry VII

• Madama Butterfly - Puccini | DVD | (27/02/2006) from £22.41   |  Saving you £2.58 (10.30%)   |  RRP £24.99

  The production stars Fiorenza Cedolins in the lead role and renowned tenor Marcello Giordani as her Pinkerton. The performance was conducted by Daniel Oren who has worked with the opera festival for more than two decades.Recorded live at the Arena di Verona 10 July 2004.

• Caught in the Act | DVD | (25/08/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  This is the first ever visual release from Arena! Includes pieces from 'Contagion' the most successful Arena release so far. Recorded at Krakow Poland on April 11th April 2003. Tracklisting: Witch Hunt And Angels Fall Painted Man This Way Madness Lies Spectre At The Feat Spin Game Salamander Bitter Harvest Bitter Harvest City Of Lanterns Riding The Tide Cutting The Cards Serenity Chosen Double Vision Hanging Tree Don't Forget To Breath The Butterfly Man Enemy Without Solomon Jericho Crying For Help VII